Helmet accessory

ABSTRACT

An accessory for a helmet includes a lower portion that includes an attachment mechanism, an upper portion that includes pliable projections wherein the attachment mechanism removably couples the lower portion to a top surface of the helmet. The attachment mechanism may mate with a corresponding attachment strip that is located on the upper surface of the helmet.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/397,038 which was filed on Jun. 7, 2010 entitled “FOHAWX HELMET ACCESSORIES”, the entire disclosure of which application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to protective helmets and accessories related thereto. More specifically the invention relates to a removable accessory that can be placed on a bicycle, skate ski or other safety helmet or protective gear.

2. Description of the Related Art

Protective Helmets are well known in the art. They are typically used by bicyclists, motorcyclists, skiers and skateboarders. The purpose of these helmets is to prevent the wearers from sustaining serious head injuries. Over the past few years, more and more locales have made use of helmets mandatory while operating different vehicles. While in the past helmets were always mandatory for skiers and operators of motorized equipment such as motorcyclists, in the past few years they have become mandatory for bicyclists or even skateboarding in various circumstances. As the use of helmets has become more acceptable and widespread, it has become difficult for parents to persuade their children to wear the helmets. More often than not, children who are less cognizant of the dangers of not wearing a helmet are concerned with the comfort of the helmet and how it makes them look. This is particularly an issue when it comes to teenagers or pre-teen children who may be more concerned with how fashionable the helmet is than how their safety or health is effected by not wearing a helmet.

Moreover, while there are helmets available on the market in different colors and designs that may address issues related to fashion, or a child's likes or dislikes, there is a need for a helmet that can be flexible when taking design into consideration. For example, a teenager may think that a particular design is fashionable at one moment, but after considering it or consulting with their peers may think such design is unpopular. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a helmet which can have flexible designs in the form of exchangeable accessories so that a user can change or alternate the look and feel of the helmet whenever they so desire.

Therefore, a need exists for a helmet with exchangeable or removable accessories that make helmets more acceptable, attractive and desirable to children and adults alike in a manner that does not reduce their safety benefits.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above discussion and the shortcomings in the prior art, the invention seeks to overcome such shortcomings of the prior art by providing interchangeable accessories for bicycle, skate, ski and other safety helmets or protective gear.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the accessories are made for placement onto a conventional helmet. The accessories comprise an upper portion that includes projections that are preferably made from foam, polyurethane, silicone, plastic or foam like materials and a lower portion that includes an attachment mechanism for joining the accessory and the helmet. The attachment mechanism is used to primarily to removably couple the accessory to the helmet.

Accessories can be created in varying shapes, styles and designs. In one embodiment, a user can design or modify an accessory though a craft project or otherwise.

In certain embodiments, the accessories come in a kit where a user is able to alternate which accessory is placed on the helmet at a given time. The accessories can be packaged together with a helmet or distributed separately.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like components. For the purposes of illustrating the device of the present application, there is shown in the drawings preferred embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the application is not limited to the precise arrangement, structures, features, embodiments, aspects, and devices shown, and the arrangements, structures, features, embodiments, aspects and devices shown may be used singularly or in combination with other arrangements, structures, features, embodiments, aspects and devices.

The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and are not in any way intended to limit the scope of this invention, but merely to clarify a single illustrated embodiment of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view of a prior art bicycle helmet;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an accessory according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the accessory of FIG. 2 attached to a helmet according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an partially attached to a helmet according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of an accessory according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of an accessory according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of an accessory according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side view showing an accessory according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention attached to a helmet; and

FIG. 9 is a front view showing an accessory according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention attached to a helmet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Certain exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the aforementioned figures. In general, such embodiments relate to accessories for a bicycle helmet, although as one of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate, certain embodiments of the present invention can be utilized in connection with various other helmets and attire.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, a typical prior art helmet 100 includes a top surface 102 which has a distal end 104, a proximal end 106 and an inner surface 108 which inner surface comes in contact and generally covers the wearer's head. Additionally, most helmets have a strap portion 110 or multiple strap portions which can be utilized to secure the helmet to the wearer's head. In certain helmets, the strap portion 110 can be adjustable to help make sure that the helmet properly fits and is not dislodged easily.

FIG. 2 shows an accessory 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in FIG. 2, accessory 200 contains a lower portion 202 and an upper portion 204. Upper portion 204 includes a plurality of projections 206 that are preferably made out of foam, polyurethane, silicone, plastic or foam like materials and are of differing heights, density and thickness. The projections 206 are also preferably water and/or stain resistant and can be made from a variety of materials to make the projections 206 more durable and long-lasting. Lower portion 202 preferably includes an attachment mechanism 208 which is used to connect the accessory 200 to the top surface 102 of helmet 100 as can be seen in FIG. 3.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, attachment mechanism 208 is brought in contact with the top surface of helmet 100 to attach the accessory to the helmet. In one embodiment, attachment mechanism 208 may include an adherable strip that can attach to the top surface 102 of the helmet 100. Alternatively, the top surface 102 of helmet 100 may include a matching strip that mates with the adherable strip of the attachment mechanism 208 to more strongly adhere the accessory to the helmet. The attachment mechanism 208 may also be a track mechanism where one part of the track is connected to accessory 200 and the other part of the track mechanism is connected to the top surface of helmet 102. Other adhesive materials such as snaps, buttons, Velcro, clips or other conventionally known or future developed mechanisms can be used to join the accessory and the helmet.

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment where the attachment mechanism 208 is joined to the upper surface 102 of helmet 100 via an attachment strip 405 that is connected to the upper surface of helmet 100. Attachment strip 405 can either be removable or permanently placed upon helmet 100. Attachment strip 405 is preferably approximately 2 inches wide and approximately 8 inches long and covers approximately two-thirds of the helmet length from distal end 102 to the proximal end 104. Although shown as being placed from the distal end 102 to the proximal end 104 of the top surface, it should be appreciated that the accessory can also be placed or designed to be placed in a perpendicular direction from one side of the top surface to the other. Alternatively the accessory can be placed in any other direction that the user desires whether along a straight line or offset from a center line of the helmet or along the side surfaces of the helmet as desired. Moreover, accessories can be easily exchanged by removing them from a helmet and placing another accessory in its place.

In one embodiment, other fasteners may be used to attach the accessory to the top surface of the helmet. Alternatively, the fasteners can be affixed to the top surface of the helmet allowing accessories to be inserted and/or removed from the particular fastener. If the fasteners are affixed to the helmet, they can be used as a base for different accessories that may be inserted into the fasteners. In that way varying accessories can be inserted into the fasteners in the helmet and exchanged as desired by the user. The fasteners can be attached using any adhesive materials such as snaps, buttons, Velcro, clips or other conventionally known or future developed mechanisms can be used to join the fasteners to the accessory and/or the helmet.

Accessory 200 is also designed so as not to obstruct the wearer's vision or cover any of the air holes that are typically found on a helmet. This ensures that the accessories do not compromise the safety of the wearer and that they can also be worn in all weather conditions. Accessory 200 is also preferably colorful, malleable and moveable so as to take shape and flow in the air as the rider moves.

FIGS. 5-9 illustrate various embodiments of the accessory. As shown in FIG. 5, projections 506 may be of a pliable material so that different projections are easily turned in different directions. The projections are preferably of a light weight so as not to create an extra burden on the wearer's head and so they can be easily manipulated. FIG. 6 illustrates accessory 600 which has projections 606 that can have beads 610 or other attachments to create more flexible and stylish projections. It should be appreciated that the accessories of the instant invention can be distributed as craft projects where a user can create their own unique accessory by modifying or enhancing the projections of the accessory.

For example, as can be seen in FIG. 7, projections 706 can be cut so as to create more projections that are part of the accessory. As can be seen in FIG. 8, projections 806 can also be molded or folded over so as to create a more compact accessory. In certain embodiments, the projections can be made out of pre-cut or die cut foam or similar elements to which beads or other decorative items can be added.

In one embodiment if the accessory is created from various pieces of material, rivets 808 can be used to keep the pieces together and form the desired shape. The rivets can be permanently attached to the accessory or removable by the user so as to create a different design shape or arrangement. Alternatively, the material can be fastened using any adhesive materials such as snaps, buttons, Velcro, clips or other conventionally known or future developed mechanisms.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment where accessories 900 a and 900 b and projections 906 a and 906 b are attached to opposite sides of the top surface 102. This embodiment which is intended to resemble pigtails is exemplary of the different manners in which the accessories can be manipulate and designed to address an individual user's likes or dislikes. Moreover as can be seen in FIG. 9, the accessories can be attached utilizing rivets 908 as discussed above with reference to the various other embodiments.

The height and length of the accessories differs by preference and style. Preferably, the projections range between 0.5 inches and 7 inches depending on the exact design and configuration of the projections. The projections may also be spiked, have serrated edges or long strips and strands containing beads to resemble dreadlocks. In one embodiment various accessories may come in a kit where a user can choose which accessory to place onto a helmet at a given time.

One having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the various accessories and helmets described for the preferred embodiments of the present invention may be adapted and interchanged between the preferred embodiments, without significantly impacting the structure and operation of the invention.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention has many applications, may be implemented in many manners and, as such is not to be limited by the foregoing embodiments and examples. Any number of the features of the different embodiments described herein may be combined into one single embodiment and alternate embodiments having fewer than or more than all of the features herein described are possible. Functionality may also be, in whole or in part, distributed among multiple components, in manners now known or to become known.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. While there had been shown and described fundamental features of the invention as applied to being exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood that omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the disclosed invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Moreover, the scope of the present invention covers conventionally known, future developed variations and modifications to the components described herein as would be understood by those skilled in the art. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein disclosed and all statements of the scope of the invention that, is a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. 

1. An accessory for use with a helmet comprising: a lower portion that includes an attachment mechanism; an upper portion that includes a plurality of projections; wherein the attachment mechanism removably couples the lower portion to a top surface of the helmet.
 2. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the projections comprise foam.
 3. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the projections comprise polyurethane.
 4. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the projections comprise silicone.
 5. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the projections comprise plastic.
 6. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises an adherable strip.
 7. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises snaps, buttons or clips.
 8. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a track mechanism that mates with a corresponding track mechanism on the helmet.
 9. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the accessory comprises a rivet.
 10. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the accessory is water resistant.
 11. The accessory of claim 1, wherein at least one of the projections includes a serrated edge.
 12. The accessory of claim 1, wherein at least one of the projections is spike-shaped.
 13. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the accessory is malleable.
 14. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the helmet is a bicycle helmet.
 15. A kit for use with a helmet comprising: a plurality of accessories wherein each accessory includes: a lower portion that includes an attachment mechanism; an upper portion that includes a plurality of projections; wherein each attachment mechanism removably couples the lower portion to a top surface of the helmet.
 16. The kit of claim 15 wherein at least one of the plurality of accessories includes projections that are spike-shaped.
 17. The kit of claim 15 wherein at least one of the plurality of accessories includes projections that have serrated edges.
 18. The kit of claim 15 wherein the projections of the plurality of accessories are different for each accessory.
 19. The kit of claim 15 wherein the kit further comprises precut foam elements and beads to create additional accessories. 